Moving is Always Difficult: Even More So for the Elderly.

Moving is always a challenge; transitioning to an assisted living home or nursing home is even more-so. Moving into a nursing home is usually not something someone does willingly and with any degree of excitement. Indeed, the move is usually a wrenching experience from the family home of many years, and is done by others.

Studies exist which indicate that a move into a nursing home increases one’s mortality due to the adverse impact of the change.

Is there anything which can make the move easier? Yes, a little planning may help to ease some of the grief. As much as possible, the planning needs to be done by the person who will be moving; but if family or friends are doing the move, they need to include the wishes of the person as much as possible.

The list below identifies elements which need to be thought through prior to the transition to a new location.

• Establish the date for the move. Circle the date on the calendar and keep in a place where it can frequently be seen.

• Decide which articles or pieces of furniture you want to move with you. What will make you feel most at home? What will set the mood you would like to create?

• Which pieces will fit in your new room(s)? Where will you locate things in your new room(s)? If possible, have a picture of your new room(s), or, even better, a blue print of the dimensions. What will you do with your other furniture? Storage? Charity? Give to family? Maybe its time to have a rummage or yard sale? Make a list which identifies all that is left, and designate for each item your desired end location.

• What type of room design will make you feel the most comfortable?

• Which pieces of memorabilia will help you keep your identity? Perhaps a photograph album with favorite pictures would help you maintain your sense of you?

• Who will be there with you on the day of the move? Who will visit daily for the first month? (Remember, if loved one is going to a nursing home, visits should be unannounced and at different hours).

• Would you like your new home blessed before you move in, or is there any other special ritual which you would like to occur prior to moving?

• Would sending moving notices to friends and family be helpful? One should always tell others how you can be contacted via address and phone number; and ask others to visit, call, or write letters.

• If moving to a nursing home your medical doctor will change, as nursing homes always have their own physician. Do you need to ask how your medical records will be transferred?

• If you choose to also keep your own doctor, then how will you get to their office, and how will care be coordinate with your new home? As dentists are not available in nursing homes, how will you get to the community dentist?

• Will you be able to visit friends or family that live nearby? How will you get to their homes? Will you be able to call friends? If so, you need to maintain a phone book of personal numbers? What about writing to old friends or family? Again, you will need an address book with personal numbers and addresses. Stationary is always a welcome item, as are stamps.

• If you have a disability that is visible to others, what are your feelings about this? What do you need to feel strong and sociable? Does it help to know that you are not the only person who is experiencing this? Remember to consider the feelings of your caregivers.

• What activities will be available in your new home? Will you need to develop other interests? If so, what will they be? What would you like to try? Remember to include your exercise program as an activity. Equally important is your religious practices: how will they be maintained? Do you need to notify your church you are moving? Will they be willing to visit?

• How will you meet new people? If you have a caretaker, ask if they can help you meet new people?

Don't Be Afraid to Ask for Additional Help if You Need It

Don't ever be afraid to ask for additional help to make the move if you need. This is a big milestone in your life, and change is hard. If children are helping you make the move, they also made need additional help to support them during a time which may be very difficult for them also.

Professional help is also available and should be taken advantage of to help process all the overwhelming changes which are occurring. An Elder Life Coach is one resource which may assist with locating this type of support or providing the support.

A healthy you, both physically, emotionally and spiritually is the end goal of any move. Certainly, by considering items on the list above, you will arrive healthier and happier in your new home.